Rediff.com » News » A runoff is in Afghanistan's best interests, says Karzai

A runoff is in Afghanistan's best interests, says Karzai

October 23, 2009 13:01 IST

On Fareed Zakaria's GPS show, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, said that the Afghan election was not treated properly. "Millions turned out to vote against all odds and then our election was defamed. The reports of election fraud were widespread that even i began to believe the polls were rigged," Karzai said.

Speaking of his decision to agree to a runoff election, Karazai said "The election as a whole was clean and the result was clear. I decided that for peace, stability, for the future of democracy in Afghanistan and the future of institutional order in Afghanistan, i found that (runoff election) in the interest of the Afghan people."

Karzai said he supported General McChrystal's report specifically since that report taked about providing protection to the people of Afghanistan. "The war on terror must not be only about pursuing and killing the Taliban but also about protecting the Afghan people," Karzai said.

On the arrival of additional troops, Karzai said that if their arrival contributed to better security for the Afghan people and since it would enhance the ability of the Afghan forces to defend their country then he was ready to consider it.